It was conceived as a popular militia force to monitor the remainders of the Shah's Artesh and defend the Islamic Revolution (such as against Nojeh coup plot).

[7] The mission of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution accorded primacy to an internal security role, while at the same time pushing for the export of the Islamic Revolution:[6] in the early days, the IRGC was responsible for both internal and external intelligence and security, which was carried out in conjunction with the prime minister's office; the alghare’eh, combat units, were involved in fighting enemy groups.

[6][7] Initially, the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution operated in coordination with Komitehs and their command echelon, but with an official approval.

[7] In September 1979, the IRGC were entrusted with providing security detail to Friday congregational prayer leader Ayatollah Montazeri, while failed to resist Iranian students in the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

[7] In the wake of Iraq invasion of Iran in 1980, Islamic Republican Party (whose forces were led by the IRGC) and leftist organizations harshly confronted each other, resulting in thousands of casualties; the impeachment and removal of President Abolhassan Banisadr allowed the Islamic Republican Party to gain control of the defence strategy and to involve deeply the IRGC in it.

[9] However, Supreme Leader Khamanei managed to forge in the early 1990s a solid alliance with the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution; in the late 1990s, during the Mohammad Khatami's presidency, the IRGC provided the conservative faction considerable resources in the usage of force in combating perceived political threats.

[7] During the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005–2013), the IRGC was increased its influence in Middle East (in Lebanon but especially with Shiite stakeholders in Iraq), but also in Chavez's Venezuela.

[4] In 2017, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, IRGC Ground Forces Commander, stated that the NESZA set up a drone centre.

From 2007 until 2015, they were organized in territorial commands in order to ensure defence against ground invasion and decapitation strikes, as well as to counter internal unrest.

[4] According to Marie Donovan, Nicholas Carl, and Frederick W. Kagan, IRGC Ground Forces military formations are in service as cadre organizations, with officers and NCOs, but without or with few enlisted personnel.

These commands and formations may be complemented by Basij's Imam Hussein infantry battalions or foreign militia and military units.

[13] Imam Hussein battalions are infantry units used for internal military defence as well as for missions beyond Iranian borders.

Alongside Imam Hussein battalions, each Provincial command establishes at least one Basij Fatehin unit in its own boundary.

[14] The Aviation Unit consists of four subdivisions:[14] The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces have a territorial organization in charge of activities and operations.

[12] This territorial organization, according to the Mosaic Doctrine and the Layered Defence approach, is focused heavily on security against internal threats and on "soft war" operations.

[20]: 19 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces structure includes 32 separate territorial commands.

Financing of provincial commands activity comes from both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces and Basij.

Imam Ali battalions are responsible for suppressing internal unrest, maintaining public order and for security patrols in the neighborhoods where they operate.

Imam Ali battalions in each city have a close relationship with the Iranian police and receive specific anti-riot equipment and training.